Russell J. Ritter, 83

Russell J. Ritter, the former mayor of Helena and president of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, passed peacefully at his home in Helena on the morning of Thursday, March 31, at the age of 83.

Born on July 22, 1932, Russ was the only child of Walter A. and Sally C. (Mellen) Ritter. Russ’ maternal family, the Mellens, moved to Montana from central Michigan, settling at Stone Station, Montana, in the mid-1870s, while his father’s parents both emigrated from Germany in the late 19th century. Growing up, Russ spent many fine summers split between his father’s drugstore, their home in Helena’s 6th ward and the Mellen family’s Stone Station ranch.

In 1950, Russ graduated from Helena Cathedral High School and entered Carroll College in the fall of that year, beginning a long and devoted relationship with the school. He graduated from Carroll with an A.B. in history in the spring of 1953 before serving in the United States Marine Corps for the remainder of the Korean War. A proud Marine, Russ maintained his ties with the military throughout his life.

Russ’ return from Korea reunited him with his long-time sweetheart and fiancee, Linaire O. Wells, to whom he was married on August 4, 1956. By the end of 1957, the newly-wedded couple had moved to Billings, where Russ embraced the persona many still remember him by: Mr. Ritter. A teacher at Billings Central High School, he worked on the coaching staff of the basketball, track and field, and football squads, before packing up and moving his growing family to Missoula in 1958, where he picked-up as a teacher and coach at Missoula Loyola.

True to Russ’ thirst for knowledge and passion for American history, he pursued a master’s degree in history and political science at the University of Montana while with Loyola—a degree he was conferred in 1962.

During the summer of 1962, the family followed another teaching/coaching job, this time to Kalispell, where Russ taught both history and government and coached the Flathead High School Braves football team. While in Kalispell, Russ and the family opened Danny’s Drive-In—a mid-1960s Kalispell staple—and acquired the family’s beloved Flathead Lake home, the Ritters’ Bears’ Den.

Despite success in Kalispell, the lure of his hometown and alma mater called Russ back to Helena in 1969, where he began a two-decade career in the development office at Carroll. First as the director for development and community relations and later as the vice-president for college relations, Russ oversaw new construction at the college and helped maintain Carroll’s strong ties with the Helena community. Russ’ devotion to the community through public service made him a household name across the city.

As a city commissioner from 1978 to 1982 and mayor from 1982 to 1991, Russ set a tone for development in Helena that has continued well into the 21st century. He was active in securing several major infrastructure projects including a new water system, wastewater treatment plant, fire department, and a new law enforcement building, all while courting the Federal Reserve to keep its Helena branch office active.

During his time as mayor, Russ welcomed dignitaries from the U.S. and abroad to the Treasure State, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and President Ronald Reagan, whom he famously referred to as “Mr. Mayor” before introducing himself as the “President of Helena”—a flub that earned the young mayor his seven seconds of Johnny Carson fame.

After nearly 22 years (1969-1991) with Carroll and 13 (1978-1991) in Helena government, Russ transitioned yet again into a dual position as director for corporate and government relations for Washington Corporation, based in Missoula, and president of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. With Washington Corporation, he put his glad-handing days in local politics to good use lobbying for the company’s interests in both Montana and Washington, D.C. He additionally oversaw the distribution of millions of dollars in grant money through the Foundation’s outreach efforts, and helped to bring the 1993 American Academy of Achievement retreat to Glacier National Park.

The new millennium saw Russ transferring his time and focus away from Washington Corp., and he devoted much of his efforts to outreach and fundraising projects. In 2009, he welcomed the debut of the Liberty House—a residential facility for families receiving healthcare services—and the Montana Military Museum, both at Fort Harrison outside Helena. He remained a member of the boards of the Fort Harrison Museum and the Student Assistant Foundation until his passing on Thursday.

Throughout his life, Russ additionally served on the board of directors of Norwest Bank of Helena, the All American Indian Hall of Fame, Junior Achievement, Montana Physicians Services, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Community Finance Corporation, City-County Building, Inc., Montana Friendship Force, and the Montana Centennial Celebration. He was a member of the Helena Chamber of Commerce, Montana Ambassador’s Club of Helena, Montana Officials Association, the Montana Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Helena Rotary Club.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Russ is survived by his wife, Linaire, of 59 years; his five children and their spouses, Michael and Mary Ritter, Leslie and Tom Wozniak, Teresa Ritter, Greg and Brenda Ritter and Dan Ritter; and his thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, Matt and Kara, Brian, Andy, Alex, Sarah, Abby, and Jenna Ritter; Ryan, Dylan, and Stephanie Wozniak; and Donovan, Mitchell, and Connor Dennis.

A vigil will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 4th, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Tuesday, April 5th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral of St. Helena. Burial with Military Honors will take place at 3 p.m. following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that condolences be directed to the Montana Military Museum, P.O. Box 125 Fort Harrison, MT 59636. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Russ.